Abstract: A travel bag with a deployable table includes a hollow shell having a front wall, a rear wall, a pair of sidewalls, a top wall, and a bottom wall. The rear wall includes a compartment having a pivotal panel received therein. The panel can be deployed to an oblique position to form a handle that allows a traveler to easily roll the bag in an upright position. The deployed panel also supports a tray table for retaining food, beverages, electronic devices or personal items.

Abstract: A sea electricity energy production device has a submerged water gate for controlling a flow of sea water into the device, one or more paddle wheels that receive water flow through the water gate to drive main gears in rotary motion, a series of pressure tanks having pistons driven by the main gears driven by the paddle wheels to pressurize water flow from the pressure tanks, and a Francis reaction turbine built on land that receives the pressurized water flow from the pressure tanks to drive the turbine and generate electricity.

Abstract: A sea electricity energy production device has a submerged water gate for controlling a flow of sea water into the device, one or more paddle wheels that receive water flow through the water gate to drive main gears in rotary motion, a series of pressure tanks having pistons driven by the main gears driven by the paddle wheels to pressurize water flow from the pressure tanks, and a Francis reaction turbine built on land that receives the pressurized water flow from the pressure tanks to drive the turbine and generate electricity.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for supporting a patient during a medical procedure includes a bead bag (18) that is filled with compressible beads (20) and that forms a lower layer of the apparatus (10). The apparatus (10) also includes a layer of foam material (30) that is located above the bead bag and an air cell grid (36) that has a plurality of inflatable air cells (38). The air cell grid (36) forms an upper layer of the apparatus (10) and provides a soft surface upon which the patient lies. The bead bag (18), when subjected to a vacuum, becomes rigid for supporting the air cell grid (36) against the patient for helping to maximize a surface area of contact between the patient and the apparatus (10).

Abstract: A visco-elastic motion-limiting artificial intervertebral disc prosthesis is provided that mimics the physiologic function of a normal spinal disc. The disc comprises upper and lower endplates having therewithin channels or openings for optionally receiving one or more motion-limiting members fitted on each end with an enlarged portion. One or more compression stops is provided between the upper and lower endplates. Additionally, an elastomeric cushion is disposed between the endplates and surrounds the motion-limiting members. Also, force transducers and microelectronics can be utilized to provide data to the surgeon or the patient regarding the load state of the disc.

Abstract: A visco-elastic motion-limiting artificial intervertebral disc prosthesis is provided that mimics the physiologic function of a normal spinal disc. The disc comprises upper and lower endplates having therewithin channels or openings for optionally receiving one or more motion-limiting members fitted on each end with an enlarged portion. One or more compression stops is provided between the upper and lower endplates. Additionally, an elastomeric cushion is disposed between the endplates and surrounds the motion-limiting members. Also, force transducers and microelectronics can be utilized to provide data to the surgeon or the patient regarding the load state of the disc.

Abstract: A visco-elastic motion-limiting artificial intervertebral disc prosthesis is provided that mimics the physiologic function of a normal spinal disc. The disc comprises upper and lower endplates having therewithin channels or openings for optionally receiving one or more motion-limiting members fitted on each end with an enlarged portion. One or more compression stops is provided between the upper and lower endplates. Additionally, an elastomeric cushion is disposed between the endplates and surrounds the motion-limiting members. Also, force transducers and microelectronics can be utilized to provide data to the surgeon or the patient regarding the load state of the disc.

Abstract: A visco-elastic motion-limiting artificial intervertebral disc prosthesis is provided that mimics the physiologic function of a normal spinal disc. The disc comprises upper and lower endplates having therewithin channels or openings for optionally receiving one or more motion-limiting members fitted on each end with an enlarged portion. One or more compression stops is provided between the upper and lower endplates. Additionally, an elastomeric cushion is disposed between the endplates and surrounds the motion-limiting members. Also, force transducers and microelectronics can be utilized to provide data to the surgeon or the patient regarding the load state of the disc.

Abstract: A visco-elastic motion-limiting artificial intervertebral disc prosthesis is provided that mimics the physiologic function of a normal spinal disc. The disc comprises upper and lower endplates having therewithin channels or openings for optionally receiving one or more motion-limiting members fitted on each end with an enlarged portion. One or more compression stops is provided between the upper and lower endplates. Additionally, an elastomeric cushion is disposed between the endplates and surrounds the motion-limiting members. Also, force transducers and microelectronics can be utilized to provide data to the surgeon or the patient regarding the load state of the disc.

Abstract: A visco-elastic motion-limiting artificial intervertebral disc prosthesis is provided that mimics the physiologic function of a normal spinal disc. The disc comprises upper and lower endplates having therewithin channels or openings for optionally receiving one or more motion-limiting members fitted on each end with an enlarged portion. One or more compression stops is provided between the upper and lower endplates. Additionally, an elastomeric cushion is disposed between the endplates and surrounds the motion-limiting members. Also, force transducers and microelectronics can be utilized to provide data to the surgeon or the patient regarding the load state of the disc.

Abstract: A visco-elastic motion-limiting artificial intervertebral disc prosthesis is provided that mimics the physiologic function of a normal spinal disc. The disc comprises upper and lower endplates having therewithin channels or openings for optionally receiving one or more motion-limiting members fitted on each end with an enlarged portion. One or more compression stops is provided between the upper and lower endplates. Additionally, an elastomeric cushion is disposed between the endplates and surrounds the motion-limiting members. Also, force transducers and microelectronics can be utilized to provide data to the surgeon or the patient regarding the load state of the disc.

Abstract: A device for storing data related to movement of a prosthetic implant includes at least one transducer for generating at least one real time movement signal responsive to movement within the prosthetic implant. A processor generates movement data parameters and associated time stamps in response to the real time movement signal. The generated data parameters and time stamps are stored within a memory associated with the processor. A communications link may be used to selectively access the movement data parameters and the time stamps in the memory from an external source.

Abstract: A surgical boot assembly for an operating room table includes a surgical boot, an adjustable support arm securable to the table, and an adjustable clamping assembly attaching the surgical boot to the adjustable support arm. The adjustable support arm includes an attachment, a support rod having an end pivotally attached to the attachment such that the support rod is pivotable about the end relative to the attachment, and a locking cylinder having a first end pivotally attached to the attachment and a second end pivotally attached to the support rod. The locking cylinder is infinitely adjustable over a range and can provide an assisting lift force. The locking cylinder preferably includes a cylinder, a piston within the cylinder and having an integral valve, and a separating piston within the cylinder. The piston and the separating piston divide the cylinder into first, second, and third portions.

Abstract: A gel pad assembly includes a flexible gel pad and an adjustable shape retainer integral with the gel pad. A flexible first outer wall cooperates with a flexible inner wall to form a first chamber. A gel is located within the first chamber. A flexible second outer wall cooperates with the inner wall to form a second chamber coextensive with the first chamber. The integral shape retainer is located within the second chamber and is selectively adjustable between a flexible condition wherein the flexible walls are conformable to a variety of desired shapes and a rigid condition wherein the flexible walls are retained in a selected one of the desired shapes. Preferred embodiments of the shape retainer include a vacuum activated bean bag, a plurality of pressurizable chambers, a thermally deformable plastic sheet, and an array of pivot elements which are mechanically clamped together.

Abstract: A surgical boot assembly for an operating room table includes a surgical boot, an adjustable support arm securable to the table, and an adjustable clamping assembly attaching the surgical boot to the adjustable support arm. The adjustable support arm includes an attachment, a support rod having an end pivotally attached to the attachment such that the support rod is pivotable about the end relative to the attachment, and a locking cylinder having a first end pivotally attached to the attachment and a second end pivotally attached to the support rod. The locking cylinder is infinitely adjustable over a range and can provide an assisting lift force. The locking cylinder preferably includes a cylinder, a piston within the cylinder and having an integral valve, and a separating piston within the cylinder. The piston and the separating piston divide the cylinder into first, second, and third portions.

Abstract: An adjustable support arm for an operating room table includes an attachment, a support rod having an end pivotally attached to the attachment and pivotable about a lithotomy axis, and a lithotomy locking cylinder operably attached to the support rod. The lithotomy locking cylinder can be unlocked to raise or lower the support rod about the lithotomy axis and locked to retain the support rod in the desired lithotomy position. The lithotomy locking cylinder is infinitely adjustable over a range and can provide an assisting lift force. The support rod can also be pivotable about an abduction axis with an abduction locking cylinder operably attached to the support rod. The abduction locking cylinder can be unlocked to laterally pivot the support rod about the abduction axis and locked to retain the support rod in the desired abduction position. The abduction locking cylinder is infinitely adjustable over a range and can provide a bias force to a minimum abduction position.

Abstract: An armboard assembly that is X-ray translucent and includes a board pivotably connected to a latching assembly. A locking assembly, which is disposable inside the board, is connected to the latching assembly and the board. The locking assembly is operable to selectively secure the board from movement relative to the latching assembly. The board defines a handle opening within which is disposed a grip for controlling the locking assembly.

Abstract: An improved ratchet mechanism for a surgical boot is not susceptible to spontaneous rotation when the center of gravity of the weight of the patient's leg, the boot, and the support arm for the boot passes the axis of rotation of the ratchet mechanism. The ratchet mechanism includes a ratchet wheel which includes both ratcheting serrations which allow rotation of the support arm in only one direction and locking serrations which do not allow the support arm to rotate in either direction. A ratchet release allows such constraints on rotation to be removed by the surgeon or surgeon's assistant.